Athletics kicks-off the 2026 Abbott and Big Ten ‘We Give Blood' drive
Aug 26 | General
U.S. faces blood supply crisis as Rutgers calls on students, alumni and fans to donate, help bolster national supply
Piscataway, N.J. — Rutgers Athletics is calling all Scarlet Knights to donate blood during the Abbott and the Big Ten "We Give Blood" drive, a nationwide competition to turn school pride into life-saving action.
For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis after donations dropped to a four-year summer low, threatening the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
The competition officially kicks off August 26, but to help address current shortages, Abbott and the Big Ten will honor any blood donations made starting August 12. Scarlet Knights from across the country can get involved as early as today by logging any blood donation made on or after August 12, or by scheduling a blood donation at their nearest blood drive or center. While any donation made at any blood center in the U.S. between August 12 and Dec. 4 can count towards the competition, donors in the local New Brunswick area can attend any of the following upcoming drives:
"A single blood donation can have an extraordinary impact, and right now the need is critical," said Keli Zinn, Rutgers Director of Athletics. "I'm asking our students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans everywhere to answer the call, give blood and show what the support of Rutgers Nation can accomplish together."
Inspiring a new generation of donors
In addition to addressing current shortages, the "We Give Blood" competition also aims to help fuel a new generation of donors. Today, nearly a quarter of all blood donations come from people over 65, many of whom will eventually be unable to donate. With only about 3% of those in the U.S. eligible to donate doing so, the need to recruit new donors is urgent. In the Big Ten community-population alone, its nearly 40 million people are likely eligible but may not yet be giving blood. If 1 in 15 of those people commit to donating blood into the future, that would close the gap left by an aging donor population.
'We Give Blood' at Rutgers University
In the competition's first two years, more than 100,000 total donations helped save as many as 300,000 lives. Each school's efforts helped secure a sustainable blood supply that the health system will depend on for decades to come: nearly one-third of student donors last year gave blood for the first time, and 96% said they would do it again.
Last year, Rutgers students, fans, and alumni from across the country played a significant role in saving lives while competing for their school:
How to participate
Students, fans and alumni who donates blood anywhere in the U.S. between Aug. 12 and Dec. 4 can count their donation for Rutgers in three easy steps:
1. Donate blood at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S.
2. Take a photo or save your donation confirmation.
3. Log it at BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to 222688 (ABBOTT).
Donation totals will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.org/Abbott throughout the campaign.
People who show up to donate and log their donation made from Aug. 12 to Dec. 4 will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited-edition Rutgers T-shirt while supplies last* and help their school be one step closer to winning $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health.
About the 'We Give Blood' drive
"We Give Blood" is a nationwide blood donation competition presented by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, now in its third year. All 18 Big Ten universities compete for the most recorded donations, with the winning school receiving a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student or community health. In its first two years, the campaign generated more than 100,000 donations collectively and helped save as many as 300,000 lives.
* Any potential incentives related to this program are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. T-shirts are available while supplies last. For terms and conditions, visit BigTen.org/Abbott.
About Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Rutgers Athletics), comprised of 24 men's and women's varsity sports serving more than 730 student-athletes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Rutgers is the Birthplace of College Football, hosting the first-ever collegiate matchup on Nov. 6, 1869, a 6-4 victory over Princeton. Rutgers Athletics is uniquely positioned in the nation's largest media market with over seven million television households, along with access to Big Ten Network and its nearly 60 million homes across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1766, Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and eighth-oldest higher education institution in the country. As a premier academic institution, Rutgers is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.
For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis after donations dropped to a four-year summer low, threatening the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
The competition officially kicks off August 26, but to help address current shortages, Abbott and the Big Ten will honor any blood donations made starting August 12. Scarlet Knights from across the country can get involved as early as today by logging any blood donation made on or after August 12, or by scheduling a blood donation at their nearest blood drive or center. While any donation made at any blood center in the U.S. between August 12 and Dec. 4 can count towards the competition, donors in the local New Brunswick area can attend any of the following upcoming drives:
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sept. 16, Commons @ the Yard, 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sept. 17, Commons @ the Yard, 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
- 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oct. 6, Rutgers College Avenue Gym, 130 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
"A single blood donation can have an extraordinary impact, and right now the need is critical," said Keli Zinn, Rutgers Director of Athletics. "I'm asking our students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans everywhere to answer the call, give blood and show what the support of Rutgers Nation can accomplish together."
Inspiring a new generation of donors
In addition to addressing current shortages, the "We Give Blood" competition also aims to help fuel a new generation of donors. Today, nearly a quarter of all blood donations come from people over 65, many of whom will eventually be unable to donate. With only about 3% of those in the U.S. eligible to donate doing so, the need to recruit new donors is urgent. In the Big Ten community-population alone, its nearly 40 million people are likely eligible but may not yet be giving blood. If 1 in 15 of those people commit to donating blood into the future, that would close the gap left by an aging donor population.
'We Give Blood' at Rutgers University
In the competition's first two years, more than 100,000 total donations helped save as many as 300,000 lives. Each school's efforts helped secure a sustainable blood supply that the health system will depend on for decades to come: nearly one-third of student donors last year gave blood for the first time, and 96% said they would do it again.
Last year, Rutgers students, fans, and alumni from across the country played a significant role in saving lives while competing for their school:
- With 1,177 total donations, Rutgers University came in seventeenth place in the "We Give Blood" drive in 2025.
- Rutgers more than doubled their donations compared to 2024. The number of fans who donated for Rutgers grew seven times from the previous year.
- Rutgers also had the highest percentage of donations from students out of any school in the competition (21%).
How to participate
Students, fans and alumni who donates blood anywhere in the U.S. between Aug. 12 and Dec. 4 can count their donation for Rutgers in three easy steps:
1. Donate blood at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S.
2. Take a photo or save your donation confirmation.
3. Log it at BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to 222688 (ABBOTT).
Donation totals will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.org/Abbott throughout the campaign.
People who show up to donate and log their donation made from Aug. 12 to Dec. 4 will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited-edition Rutgers T-shirt while supplies last* and help their school be one step closer to winning $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health.
About the 'We Give Blood' drive
"We Give Blood" is a nationwide blood donation competition presented by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, now in its third year. All 18 Big Ten universities compete for the most recorded donations, with the winning school receiving a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student or community health. In its first two years, the campaign generated more than 100,000 donations collectively and helped save as many as 300,000 lives.
* Any potential incentives related to this program are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. T-shirts are available while supplies last. For terms and conditions, visit BigTen.org/Abbott.
About Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Rutgers Athletics), comprised of 24 men's and women's varsity sports serving more than 730 student-athletes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Rutgers is the Birthplace of College Football, hosting the first-ever collegiate matchup on Nov. 6, 1869, a 6-4 victory over Princeton. Rutgers Athletics is uniquely positioned in the nation's largest media market with over seven million television households, along with access to Big Ten Network and its nearly 60 million homes across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1766, Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and eighth-oldest higher education institution in the country. As a premier academic institution, Rutgers is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.
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